Senior wide receiver Xavier Bowman is a senior leader for the Aggies, both on and off the football field, and is often called the "X-factor" by coaches and teammates as both a nickname and team role.

Oct. 20, 2009

LOGAN, Utah -

By Chet Gardner / USU Athletic Media Relations

Having the respect and admiration of your peers and coaches is not easy and not something everyone can claim. Senior Aggie wide receiver Xavier Bowman has confidence and a work ethic that coaches can't help but like. His leadership ability on and off the field, and his big smile help him gain points with his teammates as well.

"Xavier has great work ethic. His work ethic is his strength. He gives 100 percent on everything," USU offensive coordinator Dave Baldwin said.

"The guys listen to me when I give my input. I just see myself as a play-maker, a leader and a role-model for the younger players," Bowman said with a big smile.

Bowman, often called the "X-factor" by coaches and teammates as both a nickname and team role, said he feels like he has been a leader ever since he got to Utah State in 2006. It showed on the field as he was able to step right in and start three games for the Aggies in that 2006 season. As his role has increased and changed he has still been that solid leader, an "X-factor" for the Aggies.

"He's gone through adversity; gone from starter to back-up and back to starter, and he's never changed his attitude and that's what the game is about," Baldwin said.

Off the field, the Aggie leader is a member of the USU Student-Athlete Mentors Program (SAMs). It is a program that helps incoming freshman or transfer student-athletes adapt to and become acquainted with the university.

"Xavier is a natural leader and has been a perfect fit for the Student-Athlete Mentor program. He is humble, down to earth and cares so much about the incoming students with whom he works. He has an amazing demeanor about him that helps everyone he comes in contact with feel very comfortable," said Amy Crosbie, USU Assistant Director of Student-Athlete Services, who coordinates the SAMs program.

On the field, Bowman has continued to get better each year at USU. He battled through injuries last year as a junior and now as a senior has had a knack for the big play. Two out of his five receptions have gone for a touchdown.

"Coming in I've always had the mindset to get better every practice, every game, every year. And that's carried over," said the Aggie wide receiver.

To go along with his 27 career receptions, Bowman has five career touchdown catches, including one in both of USU's games at BYU and New Mexico State.

With only a few games left in his collegiate football career, Bowman will be missed by many and will miss many things about USU.

"I'll miss hanging out with my teammates on the field, in the locker room and away from football; just putting on the Aggie uniform every game and coming out to play," Bowman said.

Coach Baldwin is not ready to talk about that just yet. "I'm not too concerned with that, we're barely halfway through the season, so I'm not going worry about that just yet," he said referring to the idea of replacing one of his best receivers.

When asked about why he chose Utah State, Bowman said, "Utah State chose me." He was a high school standout coming from the football rich state of Texas. So at 6 foot 3 inches tall and 204 pounds, there is no surprise that USU recruiters had their eyes on him coming out of high school. It's a safe bet that there will be many eyes on Bowman for the rest of the year, especially many WAC defensive backs.

After the season Bowman is going to see how far he can go in football. He would like to go to the next level of some sort. "If football doesn't work out I'll be applying to grad school, and I'll be studying for the GRE and all that good stuff," Bowman said.

For now the "X-factor" will focus on making his presence known day in and day out for Utah State football. To put it in his words: "I'm hungry for more."